Civil society groups have expressed concern at the sustained bickering in Zanu PF, saying the warring is now preventing the government from tackling pressing national issues such as the crumbling economy.

Tensions continue to escalate between two Zanu PF factions; one backing Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and another supporting First Lady, Grace Mugabe, to succeed President Robert Mugabe.

“President Mugabe should reign in his underlings to ensure the ruling party focuses on reviving the national economy as well as implementing measures that instill confidence among potential investors,” said the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition in a statement.

“Zimbabwe is facing a severe food shortage that have seen about 3 million people in urgent need of food aid. Other critical sectors of the economy remain in a dire state as well.”

Another group, Heal Zimbabwe, said it was disturbed by the “increasing political tensions, animosity, celebration of ethnic inspired and politically-motivated hate speech by politicians in government.”

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission should step in and maintain peace, said group spokesman Rollings Magede.